Journal of palliative medicine
-
Even though cancer is the second most common cause of death, little is known about the extent to which family caregivers find meaning and benefit in the loss, and associated demographic characteristics and caregiving experiences. This study addressed this gap in our knowledge. ⋯ Findings suggest that bereavement programs designed to help bereaved caregivers find meaning in the loss should be personalized reflecting individual differences in caregiving stress and caregiver esteem. Such programs should also be tailored differently for spousal versus nonspousal caregivers.
-
The purpose of the study was to describe the perceptions of community residence (CR) staff who have cared for older adults with developmental disabilities (ADDs) that are at the end of life. ⋯ The results provided insight into the unique needs of older ADDs at the end of life and how this influences their care. Emphasis was also placed on the importance of specialized care that involved collaborations with hospice for older ADDs who remain in a CR at the end of life.
-
Despite the fact that many cancer patients worldwide die in general hospitals, there are few reports of the analysis of delirium in terminally ill cancer patients in this setting. ⋯ Our study indicates that male sex, T-bil, antibiotic therapy, NSAID therapy, and hematological malignancy are significant predictors for agitation severity of hyperactive delirium in terminally ill cancer patients in a general hospital setting.
-
Depression affects a quarter of palliative patients and is associated with reduced quality of life. Screening for psychological problems at key points in the patients' pathway is recommended but there is no consensus as to how to do this. ⋯ The screening question was shown to have acceptable sensitivity and specificity in a small sample of community palliative care patients. It is likely to be most useful to accurately identify those who are not depressed and identify those patients who need a more in-depth assessment of their mood.
-
The intensity and persistence of treatment-related symptoms among breast cancer survivors is incompletely understood. ⋯ Given their severity, persistence, and association with emotional burden, treatment-related symptoms among breast cancer survivors (BCS) merit greater attention toward clinical management, patient education, and longitudinal study.